GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1012, 22 September 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [per press agency.] HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, September 21. The House met at 2.39 p.m. THE AGENT-GENERAL. In reply to Mr Gisborne, Mr Whitaker said Government had no present intention of extending Sir Julius Vogel's tenure of office of Agent-General beyond the term originally specified longer than was necessary to make arrangements for supplying his place. NEW BILLS. Mataura Reserves Bill (Wood) ; Education Reserves Bill (Bowen) ; Land Drainage Bill (Reid) ; Dunedin High Schools Management Bill (Stout) ; Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill (Larnach.) IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. Mr Bowen moved the second reading of the Imprest Supply Bill, No. 3. He laid oq the table the balance sheet of the expenditure for the current year up to the 17th instant, when there was only a balance of £18,500. The Bill was read a second time. On the proposal to go into committee on it, Mr Barpf thought the purposes for which the money was asked should be given. Mr Rolleston thought it unprecedented that a Supply Bill should be asked for without any explanation, or any discussion having taken place on the financial policy of the Government. No doubt money must be granted, but it was right that the extraordinary course taken should be pointed out. Mr Bowen said the Government was not responsible for a discussion on their financial policy not having taken place. The Financial Statement was this year made earlier than ever it was before. Last year the first imprest was half a million, and the second a quarter of a million. This year the two first were quarter millions. Money was urgently required, as £25,000 had to be sent home for immigration purposes. Mr Montgomery pointed out that it was impossible to discuss the finance of the country till the public works estimates and statement of provincial liabilities were before the House. Mr Bowen said more detailed information than was ever before given was before the House already. They had all the totals, and would have the details as soon as the Government obtained them. The House went into committee on the Bill, which was reported, read a third time, and passed. education bill. Clause 8 of the Education Bill—the appropriation clause —was then considered in pom* mittee of the whole. Mr Bowen proposed that the grant from consolidated fund be made £3 15s per head, instead of £3los. The amount required for ordinary repairs, &0., of school-houses to supply place of capitation tax, would be asked for by a direct vote instead of under the Act. The additional 5s proposed would be required to enable Boards to meet the expenses of inspection of schools, which were now thrown on them. The amendment was agreed to, and the clause wag passed after digeussiga.

Clauses 37 and 38 of the Friendly Societies Bill were also agreed to in committee of whole. *

In committee on the Education Bill, a new clause was introduced exempting buildings used for public school purposes from liability from local rates. An amendment to extend the exemption to other than public schools was lost by 39 to 13. A new clause, proposed by Mr Carrington, fixing the minimum salary of a teacher in charge of a school at £l3O a year, was rejected by 34 to 29. PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS. THE HARBORS BILL. [from the correspondent oe the press.] Wellington, September 21. It is now said that the Opposition intend waiting until the discussion of the Estimates before testing their strength against the Government. The third Imprest'S upply Bill of £250,000 is before the House. When this is passed, there will have been £950,000 spent by the Government without any appropriation by Parliament whatever. Major Atkinson is still too ill to attend the Blouse, though he is somewhat better. The Education Bill is still in committee. The division of districts is now being discussed, and Mr Sheehan is opposing as to the division of Auckland and Hawke’s Bay. The Harbors and Navigation Bill has been circulated. It repeals the Marine and Harbor Board Acts of the General Assembly and all local Harbor Acts. The Governor may define the limits of harbors, appoint harbor masters and other officers, and make regulations. Every Harbor Board shall be created by a special Act, and every Board shall consist of elective and non-elective members, as may be prescribed by special Act. The elected members to hold office for one year. Nominated members for three Boards shall be bodies corporate with power to make by-laws, appoint officers, and manage endowments. The Lyttelton, Timaru, and Waimakariri Harbor Board are, among others, especially constituted by this Act. The powers and duties of Board are defined. A maximum of harbor dues is fixed, but the Board have power to levy harbor improvements rates. The provisions of the Marine Acts as to pilotage exemption, certificates, &c., are reenacted and pilots’ duties are laid down. Boards may raise money on debentures to the extent specified in the special Act. The further provisions relate to the protection of navigation, lights, buoys, and the removal of obstructions.